How to Be Successful by Brian Hill

Picking a Career
Getting Ahead
Finding the Right One

“Something to do and someone to love, such are the great essentials of life.”–Addison

A lot of college age young adults are unsure of what they want to do.  An adult who knows his or her calling early on has an advantage.  For example, my mother’s doctor has a picture of himself at about age seven holding a medical bag.

For the rest I would suggest try to find something you feel passion for.  Volunteer and job shadow. Research the job in the library or at a career center at a junior college or university.  Use statistics from the Department of Labor to ensure there will be plenty of positions when you graduate.   Also, there are tests you can take such as the Meyers-Briggs typology that can be tied in to different professions. The Holland Codes are a systematic classification of interests based on a career and vocational choice theory developed by John Holland, a psychologist.

Holland’s codes can be remembered by the acronym RIASEC.  They stand for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.  These in turn mean doers, thinkers, creators, helpers, persuaders, and organizers.  (Holland Codes from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The natal horoscope certainly has a part to play in career choice.  “The nature of the native’s employment may be shown by the sign on the cusp of the 10^th House, planets in the 10^th, or by the ruler of the 10^th.”  (Ronald C. Davison, Astrology, p. 148, 1969) I think planets in conjunction with the M.C. can also be great determinants.  It should be further noted that each sign and house are associated with certain professions.

 

 

Getting Ahead

“To get ahead, you have to go along.”—Sam Rayburn

Those who fit in and get along well with others are most likely to advance in an organization, company, or corporation.  Smile, be pleasant, avoid gossip and office politics, and do a little extra. Learn as much as possible. In bad situations give yourself time before replying.  If an immediate answer is required, count to ten before responding.  If not, say I will get back to you.

Don’t be leery or afraid of those in authority.  In fact, be friendly and cultivate a good working relationship with them.  They are the ones who can help you get ahead.

When you are ready, tell your supervisor you are eager to move up the ladder.  Talk with him or her to determine how this can be accomplished.  If the company affords an employee little opportunity to advance, move on without rancor.

 

 

Personal Relationships

“Everything is a relationship.”—George Deets, my Gemini mentor

Most people in the course of their three score and ten get married.  How best to pick a partner to avoid the pangs of divorce?  Get to know the person well, at least for a year.  See how they handle anger.  If they blame you when things go awry, they are probably not the right person.

How do they handle money? If one person is frugal while the other is more of a spendthrift, this could be a problem.  If the person is finicky or demanding, those traits are deleterious to successful relationships.  The issue then becomes how much does it bother you?  Over time things grate more and more.

How well do you get along with the in-laws?  If they have critical life scripts or expect financial support, they are going to be problematic.

Accept the person as they are.  Trying to change them will probably not work and will cause tension.

I think it best to try and find one whom it is fun to be around, chat, and hang out with.  Do they have interests that are complimentary to yours?  You like to cook.  They are a foodie.  You like to write.  They like to talk.

Finally, in some cases attraction is immediate.  In others it grows over time.  A spouse should be a good friend and one who you trust.

Astrology has a part to play in this as well.  Synastry is the comparison of two birth charts to determine compatibility. It is too involved to discuss in much detail here.  However, the Ascendant appears to play an important role.  I get along well with most Geminis.  My ascendant is in Libra with a First House Neptune.  Other than that, I have nothing in air signs.  President Calvin Coolidge married a Capricorn.  The marriage was successful, yet only his rising sign was in earth (Virgo) along with Saturn in Capricorn and Pluto in Taurus.

 

Brian Hill, MAAS Blog Writer